Well 'V' day has been and gone. How was it for you? Did Royal Mail send a van with all your post, or did you just get one heartfelt missive? If you didn't get any expressions of undying love then log onto www.fathersloveletter.com for a message that will blow your socks off!
I just got one Valentine card this year and it wasn't from my husband. It was from Homer - an elderly greyhound who lives at the Dogs Trust who assured me he loved me more than biscuits! For a mere £4 a month you can help feed and house old dogs (perhaps whose owners have died) and they break your heart by sending you a birthday and Valentine card. Log onto www.sponsoradog.org.uk if you are interested and you can be assured of your own very sweet valentine next year. I think a dog offers the nearest thing to unconditional love that you can find this side of heaven - but then again I am considered to be a bit weird!
However, love needn't even cost this modest sum. The best things in life are free and a recent survey by Imperial Leather has highlighted the fact that most people would simply prefer a hug and a kiss to flowers, chocolates or even a romantic weekend away.
They questioned 2,500 people and one in three were receiving less than one hug a day and three quarters want to be hugged more often. How sad. Hugging and kissing is the key to keeping your marriage warm. Take a tip from Frank & Anita Milford who have been married for 79 years and never go to bed without a little kiss.
Mrs Milford said: “It’s our golden rule.” She added: “Couples these days don’t last long because they often don’t take enough time for each other. There just isn’t enough respect — love is about give and take. Our advice to young couples would be to make time for a little romance every day"
Her husband pointed out that they do everything together, and researchers at the University of Edinburgh confirm that shared interests keep couples together.
So there you have it - forget the flowers and big expensive gestures, give lots of hugs and kisses. Do things together and tell your partner that you love them often. And if all else fails Homer, my very sweet greyhound paramour, has lots of mates...
